RECENT COMMENTS
Tricycle Gardens executive director leaving to open Allegheny Mountain School
Tricycle Gardens announces the transition of Executive Director Lisa Taranto into the role of Founder. Ms. Taranto is pursuing the opportunity to open and operate the Allegheny Mountain School, which is dedicated to advancing the principles of permaculture.
Ms. Taranto was a founding director of Tricycle Gardens and led the organization for eight years. Under her guidance, Tricycle Gardens built four community gardens, taught programs at three learning gardens and operated Richmond’s first urban farm. The Board of Directors appreciates all of these accomplishments and wishes Lisa well in the next endeavor.
During this transition, the Board of Directors has appointed Melissa White, Operations Manager, as the interim director. At the same time, the Board is convening a search committee to identify and hire a new executive director. Ms. White brings significant management expertise, having served most recently as Program Manager for Habitat for Humanity of Broward.
Beginning with a small community garden on Jefferson Avenue in Church Hill, Tricycle Gardens has grown to become the leading organization in Richmond, Va., to engage communities around growing healthy food and restoring public spaces. The organization’s hands-on experiential learning and gardening programs are leading the way for a new understanding of how to create a healthier community for all.
Tricycle Gardens maintains its commitment to growing a greener and healthier region. The organization has a full slate of workshops and initiatives planned for the spring and summer, including the Lewis Ginter Plant Sale, Herbs Galore, urban farm workdays and the conversion of a former gas station into a learning center. Board Chairman William Snyder can be contacted for any additional information regarding this announcement.
CONTACT: 804-222-3646 or will@tricyclegardens.org
Sad to see Lisa go as she takes a wealth of knowledge and experience with her, but wish her the best of luck in her new endeavor. ?
Congratulations to Lisa, but sorry to see you go! I learned to garden at Tricycle gardens and always loved Lisa’s passion and willingness to share. Good luck, Lisa!!
I was so sad to read this. I don’t know a more brilliant and creative person than Lisa Taranto. She will be sorely missed. Congratulations Lisa on your new endeavors and path -anything that involves your hand and mind will blossom and be great. Thank you for your vision and for establishing urban gardening in our town.
What # 3 said.
Tricycle gardens is the most impressive project that has come out of Richmond since the Trolleys!
A sad day for Richmond as another passionate, brilliant, person leaves another innovative, life changing, initiative. Her vision and tenacity has changed the way several communities look at themselves, the environment, the economy, urban planning, friendly co-existence, garden sheds, our neighbors… Tricycle gardens innovative approaches are inspirational to cities way outside the United States!
Where is Tricycle going now that they have lost their engine, eyes and soul? WTF!
Wishing Lisa everything good in her new endeavor.
I have only gratitude and respect for you Lisa Tee!
Sounds like a great opportunity for Lisa to expand her influence in gardening for the world around us. But we will sure miss her. Hope Tricycle Gardens finds someone that can fill her shoes even halfway!
Thank you for all you’ve done in Richmond, Lisa!! This city is lucky to have Tricycle Gardens.
It is a testament to Lisa that she could grow an amazing organization that is on the top of its game and then be willing to move on to the next challenge. The most amazing thing is that she founded and established an organization that is now sustainable without her. That is true vision and true commitment to the mission. Thanks Lisa.